In the first half of 2018, more than 2,500 store locations closed in the United States, according to JLL's retail outlook report from the second quarter, and nearly 600 more locations will close by the end of the year. Across the country, the closures of retailers like Sears and Toys R Us have dumped empty space on the market. Retail absorption declined nearly 60% in Q2 2018 from a year earlier as vacancy ticked up.

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space left open by department store closures is being filled by operators that offer either value or an experience. Former Macy's stores, for example, are being filled by Whole Foods or Life Time Fitness, according to JLL's report, while AMC Theatres and H&M have gone into space once occupied by Sears and JC Penney.

It's all part of the trend toward service-driven, experiential real estate. Consumers are looking for experiences; something that cannot be recreated online, or that can be posted on Instagram. Or both.''